Chard

Chard Information

Chard belongs to the same family as beets and spinach. There are several different varieties of chard. The leaves can be smooth or curly, and the stalk comes in three colors: white, red, and yellow. We bunch the different colored stems together and call them rainbow chard.

Health BenefitsIt is native to the Mediterranean region, and anciently was honored for its medicinal properties by Greeks and Romans. The juice from the plant was used as a decongestant, and the leaves were said to neutralize acid and have a laxative effect. Because it contains oxalic acid, it is best used moderately by people with a calcium deficiency. It is a powerful anti-cancer food because it is high in chlorophyll and carotenes. It is also high in vitamin K.

UsesChard is almost as quick cooking as spinach, and both the stems and the leaves are edible. I usually de-stem the leaves first by running my fingers down the stem. Then I wash the leaves thoroughly in a big bowl of water, changing the water a few times until no dirt or grit remains. I wash the stems separately. This makes it possible to chop the leaves and stems separately since the leaves tend to cook quicker than the stems. Chard can be prepared in many ways:

Raw in salads...it adds a unique color and taste to green salads

Steamed

Sauteed, try with garlic, onion, and a pinch of cayenne

Braised

Added to soups, stews, casseroles

Added to quiches, frittatas, and scrambled eggs

Cooked in lasagna

Substituted for spinach in any of your favorite recipes

Braised Chard

"Delicious! The best chard I've ever had." We found this recipe in Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. The paprika gives a rich depth to the chard.

ProcedurePlace all ingredients in a wide, heavy pot with a few pinches salt. Add 1/4 cup water, cover tightly, and cook over low heat for 45 minutes. Check once or twice to make sure there's enough moisture. If anything is sticking, add a few tablespoons water. When done, taste for salt and season with pepper. The chard should be silky and very fragrant.